The India women's football team on Tuesday evening beat rivals Afghanistan 5-1 in the opening Group B match of the SAFF Championship 2016 at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri in India.

The Indians scored their first goal in the third minute. In the 30th minute they were awarded a penalty, which gave them a 2-0 lead. 

Three minutes later they netted their third goal, while their fourth came minutes before the end of the first half. 

After half-time the Afghan players took to the field all fired up and finally broke the deadlock when Muhtaz Farkhunda tapped the ball into the net – giving them their first goal of the tournament. 

Three minutes later, India again scored – ending the match 5-1 in their favor. 

India will play neighbors Bangladesh on Saturday while Afghanistan will meet Bangladesh in their must-win fixture on Thursday.